Minneapolis 2 – 147.225 – NV8Q

The “Minneapolis 2” repeater on 147.225 is mixed-mode (analog and digital) and is equipped with Allstar for analog linking, and an MMDVM with Yaesu System Fusion (YSF), DMR, and D-Star modes enabled.

The YSF mode is linked to YSF Reflector US-Kansas3120.

The DMR mode is connected to KS-DMR, PTT-activated.

The D-Star module can be linked to REF, DCS, or XRF reflectors on demand.

Specifications:

  • Antenna: DB-224-E at 290 feet, Andrew AL7-50A transmission line.
  • Output: 65 watts
  • RF deck: Harris Mastr III repeater
  • Raspberry Pi B+
  • N3XCC v2 STM32
  • Pi-Star software
  • Battery Backup

The mode priority setup is:

  1. Local (analog) using CTCSS 123.0
  2. K-Link (analog) using CTCSS 162.2
  3. Yaesu System Fusion
  4. DMR
  5. D-Star

Analog Setup:

  • Local users should program this repeater into two different memory channels.
    • For normal K-Link use:
      • Frequency: 147.225
      • Offset: +
      • TSQ: 162.2 (prevents the “noise” of the YSF bitstream and allows monitoring K-Link via this repeater)
    • For local-only use:
      • Frequency: 147.225
      • Offset: +
      • TSQ: 123.0 (prevents the “noise” of the YSF bitstream and allows monitoring the local-only mode of this repeater)
  • Local traffic using tone 123.0 will over-ride K-Link network traffic (locally) and will temporarily drop the K-Link connection both ways for 20 seconds from the last local user transmission.
    • Any transmission on this repeater using tone 162.2 will instantly re-enable the K-Link connection.
  • K-Link audio on this repeater can be interrupted by a local digital user on this repeater for up to 60 seconds after their last transmission.

YSF Setup:

  1. Tune your radio to 147.225 with + offset
  2. Use DG-ID TX:00 and RX:00 (radios with old firmware should have Digital Squelch Code set to OFF)

That is the extent of the setup required to access the YSF mode. Additionally, here are some important points of interest:

  • This repeater is normally networked to the “US-Kansas3120” YSF Reflector.
    • You can link to other reflectors by entering WiRES-X mode on your radio and selecting another reflector.
    • Please move it back to US-Kansas3120 when you are finished with your contact.
    • You don’t need to use WiRES-X mode if you plan to stay on Kansas3120.
  • YSFReflectors are an open-source alternative to the official Yaesu WiRES-X network. You cannot access official WiRES-X nodes or rooms via this repeater.
  • Local and K-Link analog activity have higher priority than digital activity coming from the internet. If this repeater is busy with analog traffic you may switch to “Minneapolis 3” located at the same site.
  • Local digital users can “borrow” the repeater away from K-Link network traffic as long as the repeater is not being used locally on analog.
    • The “borrow” timer will mute K-Link traffic for up to 60 seconds after the last local digital transmission.
    • The “borrow” timer will be cancelled and K-Link immediately re-enabled by any local transmission with tone 162.2.
  • The US-Kansas3120 YSF Reflector is bridged to KS-DMR Group 3120. You must use DN mode to communicate with DMR users across the bridge. VW mode will not work. If you want your callsign to show up on DMR radios you will need to register your callsign with radioid.net.

DMR Setup:

  • Your radio will have to be programmed with your unique DMR ID (obtained from the RadioID.net website)
  • Each channel will have to be configured with:
    • RX Freq: 147.225
    • TX Freq: 147.825
    • Color Code: 1
    • The time slot and group contact ID of the group you want to use from the list below:

KS-DMR Repeater TGID table

Table showing the available talk group ID's on repeaters connected to the primary system.
GroupTimeslotTGID
System Local12
Repeater Local18
Voice for Linked Group19
Kansas Statewide23120
Subscriber to Subscriber calls (brief)1(Private radio ID)

There are no static talkgroups assigned to either time slot. You must first activate a talkgroup by keying PTT for two seconds. Upon unkey, the talkgroup will be available for use.

  • Example: To use TS2:3120, key up on that channel for two seconds then unkey. Now you can key up and communicate via 3120. (Yes, you essentially have to “kerchunk” one time to activate it.)

To access any of the available linked groups:

  • Select the channel programmed with TS1:TG9.
  • Go into your contact list, select the talkgroup (from the list below) you wish to link to and key PTT for two seconds with the desired linked group selected. When you unkey the link will be activated.
  • When your radio display reverts back to S1:G9 you may begin talking.
    • Note: The linked group ID’s are to be used for in-band signalling to trigger link activation, not to talk on. All voice traffic for linked groups happens on TS1:TG9.
  • Please don’t do this to “lurk” on a group.
  • Linked groups remain active for 15 minutes after the last local transmission, and only one linked group is available at a time.
  • Please do not transmit voice on any TGID not listed above.

Here is a video that demonstrates contact-based linking.

KS-DMR Linkable Groups

GroupTrigger ID
DMR-Marc Worldwide1
DMR-Marc North America3
DMR-Marc WW (English)13
DMR-Marc Midwest3169
DMR-Marc Southern Plains3175
DMR-Marc TriState31691
Nebraska TRBO3131

The DMR mode on this repeater is offered as a convenience to travelers and visitors with VHF-only gear to use while in our area. Regular local users should use Minneapolis (UHF) for DMR calls whenever possible.


D-Star Setup:

  • Tune your radio to 147.225 with + offset in Digital Voice mode
  • RPT1: NV8Q C
  • RPT2: NV8Q G
  • The repeater can be linked to any D-Star reflector. Please unlink from any reflector when you are finished using the repeater.